Johnson University has made history by advancing to the NAIA World Series for the first time, led by former Tennessee baseball coach Dave Serrano. The Royals achieved a perfect 3-0 record in the NAIA Opening Round and will compete on May 22 in Lewiston, Idaho.
Key points
Johnson University advanced to the NAIA World Series for the first time
Dave Serrano is the head coach of Johnson University
The Royals went 3-0 in the NAIA Opening Round
Johnson University achieved a record of 40 wins this season
The Royals went 3-0 in the NAIA Opening Round, beginning with a 20-10 rout against Our Lady of the Lake. They defeated Kansas Wesleyan twice in two days, holding on for a 9-8 victory on May 13 to send them to the World Series.
Johnson will play on May 22 in Lewiston, Idaho, against an undetermined opponent.
Serrano has led Johnson to the best three-year stretch in program history. The Royals improved from a 24-22 record in his first season to 36-18 in 2025, logging the most wins in a single season. They reached 40 wins this season after defeating Kansas Wesleyan.
Serrano began coaching Tennessee baseball in 2012 and resigned in 2017, leading to the Vols hiring Tony Vitello, who is now in his first season as the San Francisco Giants manager. Serrano was an assistant coach at West Virginia for a year, and was a head coach at Cal State Northridge from 2020-22 before coming to Johnson. He also coached at Cerritos, UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton.
Tennessee's Tegan Kuhns (21) points to the plate after striking out a Texas batter during an NCAA college baseball game in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
Tennessee's Levi Clark (16) cross home plate against Texas' in an NCAA college baseball game in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
Q&A
What is Johnson University's achievement in the NAIA World Series?
Johnson University has advanced to the NAIA World Series for the first time in its history.
Who is the coach leading Johnson University to the NAIA World Series?
The team is led by former Tennessee baseball coach Dave Serrano.
What was Johnson University's record this season under Dave Serrano?
Johnson University achieved a record of 40 wins this season.
When and where will Johnson University play in the NAIA World Series?
Johnson University will play on May 22 in Lewiston, Idaho, against an undetermined opponent.
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Tennessee's Tegan Kuhns (21) pitches against Texas during an NCAA college baseball game in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
Tennessee's Reese Chapman (13) makes the catch in the outfield during an NCAA college baseball game against Texas in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
Tennessee's Manny Marin (4) slides over home plate during the NCAA college baseball game against in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
Tennessee's Tegan Kuhns (21) celebrates after striking out a Texas batter to end the inning during an NCAA college baseball game in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
Tennessee baseball coach Josh Elander meets with Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle and officials in the pregame meeting of the NCAA college baseball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Texas Longhorns in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle during the NCAA college baseball game against Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
Tennessee's Tegan Kuhns (21) points to the plate after striking out a Texas batter during an NCAA college baseball game in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
Tennessee's Tegan Kuhns (21) points to the plate after striking out a Texas batter during an NCAA college baseball game in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
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Tennessee baseball and Texas in final home series, see our best photos
Tennessee's Levi Clark (16) cross home plate against Texas' in an NCAA college baseball game in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
Tennessee's Tegan Kuhns (21) pitches against Texas during an NCAA college baseball game in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
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Tennessee baseball and Texas in final home series, see our best photos
Tennessee's Reese Chapman (13) makes the catch in the outfield during an NCAA college baseball game against Texas in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
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Tennessee baseball and Texas in final home series, see our best photos
Tennessee's Manny Marin (4) slides over home plate during the NCAA college baseball game against in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
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Tennessee baseball and Texas in final home series, see our best photos
Tennessee's Tegan Kuhns (21) celebrates after striking out a Texas batter to end the inning during an NCAA college baseball game in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
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Tennessee baseball and Texas in final home series, see our best photos
Tennessee baseball coach Josh Elander meets with Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle and officials in the pregame meeting of the NCAA college baseball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Texas Longhorns in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
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Tennessee baseball and Texas in final home series, see our best photos
Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle during the NCAA college baseball game against Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026.
Johnson wasn't the only Tennessee school to advance to the NAIA World Series. Tennessee Wesleyan swept through its bracket in Kingsport with blowout wins over LSU Alexandria, Indiana Wesleyan and Webber International. It only allowed one run through the entire opening round.
